Our Christmas 2014

Here are the bits and pieces I have been making for Christmas in situ (although I did not make everything, in fact Baby MiH had his own contribution). I love the natural theme I followed this year, but I really do not have enough ornaments for the house, but it something I can add to next year and the following ones - and replace (slowly) the ones I bought on the high street some time ago. 

The woven star was found on Etsy but they don't seem to sell them anymore.

My cross-stitched ornaments next to Baby MiH contribution

The crocheted gingerbread man from last year

No tree for us - a toddler, a baby and a Christmas tree, it was too much to handle.. However my Mum has a Christmas tree - so presents will be at the feet of a tree - and everything will be in order. 

I am really happy I had spent the time making Christmas decorations - I love how for once I can display what I have made - but maybe it is the process of making Christmas as early as I want that really appeals to me! 

Baby Foxes | A finish {Knitting}

This is possibly the cutest beanie hat ever. It is fun, warm for the little ones' little ears and very different. The construction is very interesting, many new techniques for me, which I always enjoy. And knitting in Malabrigo is always a joy of course!  

Although baby MiH appears in this post, this hat is not for him. I may make Wolfie for him, reckon is more wolfy than foxy. 

And here is the rightful recipient of the hat.. 

Look at these little ears, look at the way they are shaped - so clever.  

Pattern: Foxy & Wolfie by Katy Tricot (available on Ravelry)

Needles: 4.5 (DPNs) and 5 mm (circular) 

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Sunset and Natural (found here)
Modifications: none, too busy trying to work out all the techniques. However it is not clear from the pattern how you stick the nose on the front, I sewed it in, it seems to work. 

Result: Love it! Once you understand the techniques (there are a lot of diagrams included with the pattern and there are a few useful youtube videos out there), 
it is a fairly quick knit, and you get an amazing hat out of it. It is a bit of an advanced pattern, but nothing too difficult. 
The Malabrigo is actually a great yarn for the babies, not too scratchy and it comes in great colours as well. 

When I posted about the progress of this hat, I mentioned the intersia in the round - which was knitting in the round but not really. You may be able to understand what I mean looking at the back of it. 

Apart from that, here are 'action shots' of the hat.. Maybe it is a boy thing, as demonstrated by Mylo and Baby MiH! Yep they are having none of it!

The buttons used on the hat are from an old shirt (kept the buttons and got rid of the shirt) and some remaining vintage buttons from my Cami dress.  

This is my entry for knit twelve hats in one year! 

Foxy Hat | WIP {knitting}

I finally started tackling my knitting list, and of course it is not as easy as I thought it would be. Clever designs are great but slower to finish.

I put this particular project down for a full knitting day, except that although I found the perfect yarn colour and type (from the Village Haberdashery) my gauge was way off! You cannot find Phildar Givre (the recommended yarn) anymore, it has been discontinued, so making a gauge is essential (not just me saying it, so do a lot knitters on ravelry on this project). I went 2 needles size to get the right gauge.

It also took me 2 hours to work out the twisted German cast on. To be fair I was watching the wrong YouTube video, but this one is brilliant. And this cast on is in fact brilliant!

The finish is great - looking sturdier and neater than other cast on techniques - and it is super stretchy - so ideal for socks and hats. I will be using it more often! 

The knitting of the hat is in fact not in the round but in the round (it is confusing, you have to have read the pattern) is also brilliant and saves a lot of yarn.

Pattern: Foxy & Wolfie by Katy Tricot (available on Ravelry)

Needles: 4.5 (DPNs) and 5 mm (circular) 

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted in Sunset and Natural (found here)

The next stage should be knitted fast now that I understood the concept. I am so happy to have chosen this pattern, I feel like I am learning a lot of techniques I will be able to use in future projects - worth every penny.